So this was the worst day of racing in the history of the world, I’m convinced. The first race of the day was a collegiate road race wherein it managed to snow 5 times and produce brisk winds through the duration of the race. The race organizers were generous enough to offer free entrance into the usat road race, so why not right? The pack was huge, 61 guys, which is really scary for the whack pack (cat 4/5/cit.). In addition a guy only refered to by my racing buddies and I as the “death rider” due to his uncanny ability to crash every race for no apparent reason was there*. A friend from out of town was racing so I mentioned to avoid this guy like the plague… some advice I should have taken more seriously myself. *So my only goal was to stay up front and stay ahead of the “death rider.” Oh, I should probably show a picture of my sweet bike setup on that particular day. 
So 3 miles into the race we’re truckin along pretty well going 25+. Play by play: the pack gets a little squirrely, I see the death rider sneak up directly in front of me, I see the death rider lay it down directly in front of me… I’m unable to bunny hop him and put it down. That moment was honestly probably the most terrifying thing I’ve ever been through. Basically the air temperature felt like it went from about 30 degrees to 100 in a split second from all of the friction of everything hitting the pavement at such a high speed. So the next picture is pretty much the aftermath of the damages.
That’s only half of the 202 wheels (not like you can tell anyway). For added detail to this story the other wheel was broken into more pieces. When I called up my training buddy to tell him about the crash and told him about the “death rider” he could only chuckle at the irony. What else can ya do right? He had to get one of us eventually!! Anyway I did learn my lesson. The next day I put my triathlon front end on that bike so it can never be entered into a mass start race, even in a moment of weakness.
Next picture is just for fun. Its a picture of me wearing a cycling jersey in Compton, CA… none of my friends get it so I’m hoping the STers catch the humor. That’s right, I’m a badass (and was fearing for my life).
geoshitties doesn’t allow you to link to photos on their pages. Plus, as soon as you start directing people to that site you’ll get a data transfer overload block and the whole page shuts down for awhile. Bummer.
geoshitties doesn’t allow you to link to photos on their pages. Plus, as soon as you start directing people to that site you’ll get a data transfer overload block and the whole page shuts down for awhile. Bummer.
photobucket.com is the answer.
Almost the same thing happend to at ETU triathlon zundert this year. I didn’t knew any of the 25 guys in my group, but tried to stay away from what I thought was the “death-riders”. Like a light from the heaven I saw three riders laying down right in front of me…! There wasn’t time to break or to go around them, so in best “crosscycle Lance Armstrong-style” I stand up on the pedals and go over them…! Luckly I didn’t go down, and I could continue the race… After using 4 miles alone to catch the pack.
Are the links working for everyone now?
Wow. Always defend your position at the front…
I’m glad you weren’t hurt more seriously.
That sucks…let me know if you need that part to fix the der…I have that at least…and at least you are ok
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has someone thought to mention to the death rider that he needs training wheels. That he should learn to handle a bike before the next crit. He probably thinks he is a great rider. Somone needs to tell him he sucks.
boy i woulda been so damn pissed if that happened to me.
One time I had bought a new crosscountry bike and was riding some rails with a couple buddies, I hit a small rock and my frame broke in 2 places.
Exactly!! Luckily I think the situation self-regulated itself. Turns out that he broke his own bike and wheels and I haven’t seen himself at the races since. The best part of the whole situation (I did crack a smile) was when this idiot realized that his wheels were broken and threw one down on the ground. The wheel proceeded to roll down a hill and into a creek so he looked like even more of a dumbass chasing after it.
if it’s a cat 4/5 race and you know there are inexperienced racers in the pack, you shouldn’t have put your 202s on, and you should have had a cheaper bike. sorry to be harsh, but that’s life. I’ve had my fair share of crashes in cat 4. next time you see this idiot, wrap your wheel (the broken one) around his neck.